diff --git a/apps/conciv/src/pane/chat-pane.tsx b/apps/conciv/src/pane/chat-pane.tsx
index 167a41f52..23c48eb66 100644
--- a/apps/conciv/src/pane/chat-pane.tsx
+++ b/apps/conciv/src/pane/chat-pane.tsx
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ import {ToolFallbackCard} from './tool-fallback-card.js'
 import {useComposerTriggerSources} from './trigger-sources.js'
 import {GrabReference} from './grab-reference.js'
 import {CompactSpinner, ConversationSkeleton, Divider, ThinkingBubble} from './indicators.js'
+import {ComposerActionsPending} from '../shell/pending.js'
 import {EmptyStateSlot} from '../shell/empty-state.js'
 import {ExtensionSurface} from '../extension/extension-slots.js'
 import {makePaneGrabApi} from '../extension/pane-grab.js'
@@ -313,7 +314,7 @@ export function ChatPane(props: {sessionId: string}): JSX.Element {
               >
                 <Thread>
                   <Thread.Viewport>
-                    <Suspense>
+                    <Suspense fallback={<ConversationSkeleton />}>
                       <Thread.Welcome>
                         <Show when={!disconnected()} fallback={<ConversationSkeleton />}>
                           <EmptyStateSlot
@@ -383,7 +384,7 @@ export function ChatPane(props: {sessionId: string}): JSX.Element {
                             busy={compacting() ? <CompactSpinner /> : undefined}
                             triggers={triggerSources}
                           >
-                            <Suspense>
+                            <Suspense fallback={<ComposerActionsPending />}>
                               <ComposerActions
                                 sessionId={sessionId}
                                 compacting={compacting()}
diff --git a/apps/conciv/src/routes/panel.$sessionId.tsx b/apps/conciv/src/routes/panel.$sessionId.tsx
index 883413fbf..279231b10 100644
--- a/apps/conciv/src/routes/panel.$sessionId.tsx
+++ b/apps/conciv/src/routes/panel.$sessionId.tsx
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import {Outlet, createFileRoute, redirect, useBlocker, useMatchRoute, useRouter}
 import {useQuery} from '@tanstack/solid-query'
 import {Tabs, TooltipIconButton} from '@conciv/ui-kit-system'
 import {ChevronDown, PictureInPicture2, Unplug} from 'lucide-solid'
-import {For, Show, createMemo, createSignal, type JSX} from 'solid-js'
+import {For, Show, Suspense, createMemo, createSignal, type JSX} from 'solid-js'
 import {Dynamic} from 'solid-js/web'
 import {isSessionId} from '@conciv/protocol/chat-types'
 import {useAnnounce, useAppData, useDisconnect, useGrabProvider, useInstances, useRpc} from '../app/context.js'
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import {PaneContext, makeGrabStore, makePendingAttachmentQueue, type PaneContext
 import {SessionSelector} from '../composer/session-selector.js'
 import {usePanelChrome} from '../app/panel-chrome.js'
 import {ContextTracker} from '../pane/context-tracker.js'
+import {SessionPillPending, UsagePending, ViewTabsPending} from '../shell/pending.js'
 import {collectViews} from '../extension/extension-views.js'
 
 const HEAD = 'flex items-center gap-2.5 py-3 px-3.5 border-b border-b-pw-line-soft'
@@ -111,13 +112,17 @@ function PanelSession(): JSX.Element {
           <PictureInPicture2 class="size-5 block" aria-hidden="true" />
         </TooltipIconButton>
         <span class="tracking-[-0.01em] font-semibold">conciv</span>
-        <SessionSelector
-          variant="pill"
-          activeId={() => params().sessionId}
-          onActivate={activate}
-          onNewSession={() => void newSession()}
-        />
-        <ContextTracker usage={usage()} />
+        <Suspense fallback={<SessionPillPending variant="pill" />}>
+          <SessionSelector
+            variant="pill"
+            activeId={() => params().sessionId}
+            onActivate={activate}
+            onNewSession={() => void newSession()}
+          />
+        </Suspense>
+        <Suspense fallback={<UsagePending />}>
+          <ContextTracker usage={usage()} />
+        </Suspense>
         <Show when={connectMode && disconnect}>
           <TooltipIconButton
             tooltip="Disconnect this machine"
@@ -136,24 +141,30 @@ function PanelSession(): JSX.Element {
         </TooltipIconButton>
       </header>
       <Show when={views().length > 0}>
-        <div class="px-2.5 flex gap-2 items-center">
-          <Tabs.Root value={activeView()} onValueChange={(details) => switchView(details.value)} class="flex-1 min-w-0">
-            <Tabs.List>
-              <Tabs.Trigger value="chat" disabled={leaveGuard()}>
-                Chat
-              </Tabs.Trigger>
-              <For each={views()}>
-                {(view) => (
-                  <Tabs.Trigger value={view.id} disabled={leaveGuard()}>
-                    <Show when={view.icon}>{(icon) => <Dynamic component={icon()} class="size-3.5" />}</Show>
-                    {view.label}
-                  </Tabs.Trigger>
-                )}
-              </For>
-              <Tabs.Indicator />
-            </Tabs.List>
-          </Tabs.Root>
-        </div>
+        <Suspense fallback={<ViewTabsPending />}>
+          <div class="px-2.5 flex gap-2 items-center">
+            <Tabs.Root
+              value={activeView()}
+              onValueChange={(details) => switchView(details.value)}
+              class="flex-1 min-w-0"
+            >
+              <Tabs.List>
+                <Tabs.Trigger value="chat" disabled={leaveGuard()}>
+                  Chat
+                </Tabs.Trigger>
+                <For each={views()}>
+                  {(view) => (
+                    <Tabs.Trigger value={view.id} disabled={leaveGuard()}>
+                      <Show when={view.icon}>{(icon) => <Dynamic component={icon()} class="size-3.5" />}</Show>
+                      {view.label}
+                    </Tabs.Trigger>
+                  )}
+                </For>
+                <Tabs.Indicator />
+              </Tabs.List>
+            </Tabs.Root>
+          </div>
+        </Suspense>
       </Show>
       <Outlet />
     </PaneContext.Provider>
diff --git a/apps/conciv/src/routes/quick.tsx b/apps/conciv/src/routes/quick.tsx
index b0f5fec7c..df8edb1c0 100644
--- a/apps/conciv/src/routes/quick.tsx
+++ b/apps/conciv/src/routes/quick.tsx
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import {createFileRoute, redirect, useRouter} from '@tanstack/solid-router'
 import {useQuery} from '@tanstack/solid-query'
 import {createHotkey} from '@tanstack/solid-hotkeys'
-import {For, Show, onCleanup, onMount, type JSX} from 'solid-js'
+import {For, Show, Suspense, onCleanup, onMount, type JSX} from 'solid-js'
 import {TooltipIconButton, createResizable} from '@conciv/ui-kit-system'
 import {ChevronUp, Columns2, PictureInPicture2, X} from 'lucide-solid'
 import {useAppData, useRpc, useSuppressed} from '../app/context.js'
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import {PaneProvider} from '../app/pane-provider.js'
 import {ChatPane} from '../pane/chat-pane.js'
 import {ContextTracker} from '../pane/context-tracker.js'
 import {SessionSelector} from '../composer/session-selector.js'
+import {SessionPillPending, UsagePending} from '../shell/pending.js'
 import {QuickSearchSchema, quickPaneIds, quickSearchFor} from '../lib/quick-search.js'
 
 const CLOSE =
@@ -191,13 +192,17 @@ function QuickLayer(): JSX.Element {
                 }}
               >
                 <div class="text-xs text-pw-text-3 leading-none font-pw-mono px-3 py-2 border-b border-b-pw-line-soft flex shrink-0 gap-2 items-center">
-                  <SessionSelector
-                    variant="bar"
-                    activeId={() => id}
-                    onActivate={(next) => activatePane(index(), next)}
-                    onNewSession={() => void addPane()}
-                  />
-                  <ContextTracker usage={usageOf(id)} />
+                  <Suspense fallback={<SessionPillPending variant="bar" />}>
+                    <SessionSelector
+                      variant="bar"
+                      activeId={() => id}
+                      onActivate={(next) => activatePane(index(), next)}
+                      onNewSession={() => void addPane()}
+                    />
+                  </Suspense>
+                  <Suspense fallback={<UsagePending />}>
+                    <ContextTracker usage={usageOf(id)} />
+                  </Suspense>
                   <TooltipIconButton
                     tooltip="Close pane"
                     class={CLOSE_PANE}
diff --git a/apps/conciv/src/shell/fab-robot.tsx b/apps/conciv/src/shell/fab-robot.tsx
index bbf12ed53..129d01800 100644
--- a/apps/conciv/src/shell/fab-robot.tsx
+++ b/apps/conciv/src/shell/fab-robot.tsx
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ export function FabRobot(props: {open: () => boolean; working: () => boolean}) {
   onCleanup(() => rig?.destroy())
 
   return (
-    <span class="pw-fab-rig" data-working={props.working()} aria-hidden="true">
+    <span class="pw-fab-rig" aria-hidden="true">
       <span class="pw-rig-layer pw-rig-head" ref={(el) => (headEl = el)} />
       <span class="pw-rig-layer pw-rig-antenna" ref={(el) => (antEl = el)} />
       <span class="pw-rig-layer pw-rig-eyes" ref={(el) => (eyesEl = el)} />
diff --git a/apps/conciv/src/shell/fab.tsx b/apps/conciv/src/shell/fab.tsx
index b0b7d7a90..8404aed49 100644
--- a/apps/conciv/src/shell/fab.tsx
+++ b/apps/conciv/src/shell/fab.tsx
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import type {JSX} from 'solid-js'
+import {Show, Suspense, type JSX} from 'solid-js'
 import type {TriggerPosition} from '@conciv/protocol/config-types'
 import type {DraggablePosition} from '../lib/draggable-position.js'
 import {FabRobot} from './fab-robot.js'
@@ -14,12 +14,12 @@ const FAB_POS: Record<TriggerPosition, string> = {
 
 const FAB_BASE =
   'fixed size-13 rounded-pw-pill border border-pw-line bg-pw-panel text-pw-accent text-[1.375rem] cursor-pointer pointer-events-auto shadow-pw-lg inline-flex items-center justify-center trans-lift anim-fab focus-ring [@media(hover:hover)_and_(pointer:fine)]:hover:[transform:translateY(-0.125rem)] [@media(hover:hover)_and_(pointer:fine)]:hover:shadow-pw-hover active:[transform:translateY(0)_scale(0.94)]'
-const FAB_ATTN =
-  "after:content-[''] after:absolute after:-inset-[0.1875rem] after:rounded-pw-pill after:border-2 after:border-pw-accent after:anim-fab-ring"
+const FAB_BUSY = 'pw-fab-busy absolute -inset-[0.1875rem] rounded-pw-pill pointer-events-none'
+const FAB_ATTN = 'border-2 border-pw-accent anim-fab-ring'
 const FAB_DRAGGING = 'transition-none z-[2147483647] cursor-grabbing'
 
-function fabClass(pulsing: boolean, position: TriggerPosition, dragging: boolean): string {
-  return `${FAB_BASE} ${FAB_POS[position]}${pulsing ? ` ${FAB_ATTN}` : ''}${dragging ? ` ${FAB_DRAGGING}` : ''}`
+function fabClass(position: TriggerPosition, dragging: boolean): string {
+  return `${FAB_BASE} ${FAB_POS[position]}${dragging ? ` ${FAB_DRAGGING}` : ''}`
 }
 
 function fabLabel(open: boolean): string {
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ export function ShellFab(props: {
     <button
       type="button"
       ref={props.ref}
-      class={fabClass(!props.open() && props.working(), props.fab.position(), props.fab.dragging())}
+      class={fabClass(props.fab.position(), props.fab.dragging())}
       data-pw-fab
       data-pw-suppressed={props.suppressed()}
       style={props.fab.dragStyle()}
@@ -50,6 +50,11 @@ export function ShellFab(props: {
         if (!props.fab.consumeClick()) props.onToggle()
       }}
     >
+      <Suspense>
+        <Show when={props.working()}>
+          <span class={props.open() ? FAB_BUSY : `${FAB_BUSY} ${FAB_ATTN}`} aria-hidden="true" />
+        </Show>
+      </Suspense>
       <FabRobot open={props.open} working={props.working} />
     </button>
   )
diff --git a/apps/conciv/src/shell/pending.tsx b/apps/conciv/src/shell/pending.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..18645fa99
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/conciv/src/shell/pending.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+import {type JSX} from 'solid-js'
+
+const SKEL = 'skel-bg [background-size:200%_100%] anim-skel'
+
+export function SessionPillPending(props: {variant: 'pill' | 'bar'}): JSX.Element {
+  return (
+    <div class="inline-flex min-w-0 items-center" role="status">
+      <div
+        class={`${SKEL} h-7 ${props.variant === 'pill' ? 'w-32 rounded-pw-pill' : 'w-24 rounded-pw-sm'}`}
+        aria-hidden="true"
+      />
+      <span class="sr-only">Loading sessions…</span>
+    </div>
+  )
+}
+
+export function UsagePending(): JSX.Element {
+  return (
+    <div class="inline-flex items-center px-1.5 py-0.5" role="status">
+      <div class={`${SKEL} h-4 w-10 rounded-pw-sm`} aria-hidden="true" />
+      <span class="sr-only">Loading context usage…</span>
+    </div>
+  )
+}
+
+export function ViewTabsPending(): JSX.Element {
+  return (
+    <div class="px-2.5 flex gap-2 items-center" role="status">
+      <div class={`${SKEL} h-8 w-16 rounded-pw-sm`} aria-hidden="true" />
+      <div class={`${SKEL} h-8 w-20 rounded-pw-sm`} aria-hidden="true" />
+      <span class="sr-only">Loading views…</span>
+    </div>
+  )
+}
+
+export function ComposerActionsPending(): JSX.Element {
+  return (
+    <div class="flex gap-1 items-center" role="status">
+      <div class={`${SKEL} size-8.5 rounded-pw-pill`} aria-hidden="true" />
+      <div class={`${SKEL} size-8.5 rounded-pw-pill`} aria-hidden="true" />
+      <div class={`${SKEL} size-8.5 rounded-pw-pill`} aria-hidden="true" />
+      <span class="sr-only">Loading composer actions…</span>
+    </div>
+  )
+}
diff --git a/apps/conciv/src/styles.css b/apps/conciv/src/styles.css
index 739553311..78b0c0918 100644
--- a/apps/conciv/src/styles.css
+++ b/apps/conciv/src/styles.css
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@
   transform-origin: 50% 32.8%; /* antenna base -> sway rotates about where it meets the head */
 }
 /* Working: a magenta glow pulse on the eyes. filter only; GSAP owns the transforms, so no clash. */
-.pw-fab-rig[data-working='true'] .pw-rig-eyes {
+.pw-fab-busy ~ .pw-fab-rig .pw-rig-eyes {
   animation: pw-rig-glow 1.3s ease-in-out infinite;
 }
 @keyframes pw-rig-glow {
diff --git a/packages/embed/tests/e2e/panel-focus.it.test.ts b/packages/embed/tests/e2e/panel-focus.it.test.ts
index d03fb5b73..7deeb2b4b 100644
--- a/packages/embed/tests/e2e/panel-focus.it.test.ts
+++ b/packages/embed/tests/e2e/panel-focus.it.test.ts
@@ -6,11 +6,16 @@ import {hostPage, serveHost} from '../helpers/host.js'
 const suite = setupWidgetSuite()
 
 const COMPOSER_NAME = 'Message the conciv agent'
+const SESSION_PILL_NAME = 'Session: New session'
 
 function composer(page: Page) {
   return page.getByRole('textbox', {name: COMPOSER_NAME})
 }
 
+function sessionPill(page: Page) {
+  return page.getByRole('button', {name: SESSION_PILL_NAME})
+}
+
 async function ensurePanelClosed(page: Page): Promise<void> {
   const minimize = page.getByRole('button', {name: 'Minimize conciv chat'})
   const opener = page.getByRole('button', {name: 'Open conciv chat'})
@@ -19,6 +24,23 @@ async function ensurePanelClosed(page: Page): Promise<void> {
   await expect(opener).toBeVisible({timeout: 30_000})
 }
 
+async function holdFirstSessionList(page: Page): Promise<() => void> {
+  let release = (): void => {}
+  const held = new Promise<void>((resolve) => {
+    release = () => resolve()
+  })
+  let seen = 0
+  await page.route(
+    (url) => url.pathname.endsWith('/rpc/sessions/list'),
+    async (route) => {
+      seen += 1
+      if (seen === 1) await held
+      await route.continue()
+    },
+  )
+  return release
+}
+
 type HostedPanel = {host: Awaited<ReturnType<typeof serveHost>>; page: Page; hostButton: Locator}
 
 const dedicatedHosts: Array<{close: () => Promise<void>}> = []
@@ -55,6 +77,26 @@ test.describe('panel open focuses the composer', () => {
     await page.keyboard.type('typed without clicking')
     await expect(composer(page)).toHaveText('typed without clicking')
   })
+
+  test('paints the shell while the session list is still loading, then focuses the composer', async ({page}) => {
+    test.setTimeout(90_000)
+    const host = await serveHost(() =>
+      hostPage({apiBase: suite.kit().base, widget: '{"quickTerminal":false,"transport":"fetch"}'}),
+    )
+    dedicatedHosts.push(host)
+    const releaseSessionList = await holdFirstSessionList(page)
+    await page.goto(host.base, {waitUntil: 'domcontentloaded'})
+    try {
+      await expect(page.getByRole('button', {name: 'Open conciv chat'})).toBeVisible({timeout: 15_000})
+    } finally {
+      releaseSessionList()
+    }
+    await openPanel(page)
+    await expect(sessionPill(page)).toBeVisible({timeout: 30_000})
+    await expect(composer(page)).toBeFocused({timeout: 10_000})
+    await page.keyboard.type('typed after the session list resolved')
+    await expect(composer(page)).toHaveText('typed after the session list resolved')
+  })
 })
 
 test.describe('panel close restores focus: host element captured at open wins, FAB is the fallback', () => {
diff --git a/packages/extensions/tanstack/test/helpers/tanstack-test-api.ts b/packages/extensions/tanstack/test/helpers/tanstack-test-api.ts
index e8deff05c..57beb5ee0 100644
--- a/packages/extensions/tanstack/test/helpers/tanstack-test-api.ts
+++ b/packages/extensions/tanstack/test/helpers/tanstack-test-api.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import type {Page} from 'playwright'
 import {afterAll, beforeAll} from 'vitest'
 import {expect as expectLocator} from 'playwright/test'
 import {getExtensionTestApi, serveDir, type ExtensionTestApi} from '@conciv/extension-testkit'
+import {rpcObserverFor} from '@conciv/extension-testkit/rpc-observer'
 import type {FrameworkAdapter} from '@conciv/protocol/framework-types'
 import tanstackExtension from '../../src/server.js'
 
@@ -38,7 +39,9 @@ export function tanstackAdapter(api: ExtensionTestApi): FrameworkAdapter {
 }
 
 export async function waitForWidget(page: Page): Promise<void> {
+  const planeSubscribed = rpcObserverFor(page).completed({path: ['page', 'queries'], timeout: 30_000})
   await expectLocator(page.getByRole('button', {name: 'Open conciv chat'})).toBeVisible({timeout: 30_000})
+  await planeSubscribed
 }
 
 export async function gotoAbout(page: Page): Promise<void> {